Tips For Growing Elephant Ear Indoors

 

Tips For Growing Elephant Ear Indoors

Colocasia (Elephant Ear)

Botanical Name  : Colocasia esculenta 

Family   : Araceae  

Chromosome No.  : 2n = 38, 36 एवं 48 

                                                                                   

Colocasia (Elephant Ear) has a special and prominent place among tuberous vegetables. In northern India, Colocasia  is grown as a cash crop. It is grown in farms and kitchen gardens. Its tubers and nodes are used as vegetables. Pakodas are made from its leaves. It is produced in many countries of the world. Africa ranks first in the area and production of colocasia (Elephant Ear), while Asia ranks second. In India, it is mainly grown in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. It is also expanding in other states.

Three genera Colocasia, Alocasia and Xanthesoma from the subfamily Colocasioidae of the Araceae family produce edible tubers. They are called Taro or Dasheen, Giant Taro and Tania respectively. India produces the most amount of taro.

History and Origin - There are many differences about the place of origin of Colocasia (Elephant Ear) . According to some scientists, its place of origin is considered to be the area between the ion circles of the ancient world, while according to Marigowada (1952), its place of origin is India itself. When and where did its cultivation start in India? It is not known. In northern India, it is mainly grown in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. Its production is also expanding in other states.

Nutritive value - Colocasia (Elephant Ear) is used in various ways for vegetables. Its tubers are boiled and used as vegetables or as fasting fruit diet. Spinach vegetable is made from its leaves and pakodas are also made from the leaves. Chips are made from the tubers, then they are put in sugar syrup and separated. These taste very delicious.

The Food Value of Colocasia (Elephant Ear) is shown in the table-

                                     

                                            (Nutrition Value of Colocasia  per 100 gm)                            

Moisture                         : 37.10 g Fat                                   :  0.10 g fiber                                : 1.00 g  minerals                        : 1.70 g protein                           : 3.00 g other carbohydrates    : 21.10 g sodium                           : 9.00 mg calcium                          : 40.00 mg Iron                                : 1.70 mg Potassium                      : 550.00 mg Thiamine                       : 0.09 mg Nicotinic acid                : 0.40 mg Riboflavin                      : 0.03 mg Vitamin 'A'                    : 40.00 IU Calories                          : 97.00

 

 Climate - Colocasia (Elephant Ear) crop requires hot and moist climate. Hot weather is essential for its growth and development. Along with moisture in the soil, more moisture in the atmosphere leads to good growth. In natural conditions, it grows well near water sources. Colocasia can be grown well in frost-free areas at a high altitude on the mountains. Areas with 700-1000 mm rainfall, where there is good rainfall during its growth, give higher production.

Elephant Ear Indoors

Soil - For successful production of Colocasia (Elephant Ear), sandy loam soil rich in organic matter with proper drainage is considered the best. Soil pH value of 5.5-7.0 is considered ideal. It can also be grown in heavy and waterlogged soils.

Land Preparation - First plowing should be done with a soil turning plow. After that plow 2-3 times with a harrow or cultivator. After every ploughing, do a ploughing so that the soil becomes soft and level.

Manure and Fertilizer - Manure and fertilizers should be used as per the soil test. If soil testing is not possible, then in that case it is absolutely necessary to use the following quantity of cow dung manure and fertilizers per hectare-

Farm Yard Manure - 30 tons

Nitrogen - 100 kg

Phosphorus - 60 kg

Potash - 80 kg

Farm Yard Manure should be spread evenly in the field before the first ploughing. A mixture of half the quantity of nitrogen, full quantity of phosphorus and potash should be made and put in the soil at the time of final ploughing. The remaining quantity of nitrogen should be divided into two equal parts and given as top dressing to the standing crop after 35-40 days and 70 days of sowing.

Varieties

Colocasia (Elephant Ear) is called by many names based on the shape and size of its dense tubers; such as Panchmukhi, Sahasramukhi etc. Some of its local varieties are also grown, among which Faizabadi, Laghra, Bansi, Bengali Bada, Sarkachu, Asakachu, Kala Kachu etc. are the prominent ones.

Many improved varieties of arbi are now available, among which Shri Rashmi, Shri Pallavi are prominent. White Gauriya, NDC 1, 2, and 3, Kadma, Muktakesh, Nadia local, Ahina local, Teliya, Jhankhri etc. varieties are promising varieties for eastern regions, while Satmukhi and Sahasramukhi varieties are promising for western regions and Satmukhi, Shri Pallavi and C-16 are promising varieties for southern regions.

Suitable varieties for growing in different states

Punjab - S-3, S-11

Uttar Pradesh - NDC-1 and 2

Maharashtra - Warn 1 and 2, Gyaano 12, 22, 36 and 40

Bihar - Gauriya, Kashi Bugga, Kuber, Nar Katra, Kovalayur, NDC-1 and 2

Latest Varieties -

Narandra Colocasia 1

Narendra Colocasia 2

Propagation - Colocasia (Elephant Ear) is propagated by vegetative method for which small cormels are used. Only healthy and thick cormels are used for seeds.

Time of Sowing - Colocasia (Elephant Ear) is sown twice a year i.e. February-March and June-July. The time of sowing of Colocasia (Elephant Ear) in different states is given below-

State Time

Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar - June and February

Kerala - April-June

Andhra Pradesh - February

Tamil Nadu - May

Assam - April

Seed Rate - Usually about 8-12 quintals of tubers are required per hectare.

Method of Sowing

Colocasia is sown in the following three ways -

1. Flat Sowing - In this method tubers are sown at a distance of 45 cm between rows and 30 cm between plants and at a depth of 7.5 cm.

2. Ridge Sowing- In this method, ridges are made at a distance of 45 cm and cormels are sown at a distance of 30 cm on both sides.

3. Furrow Sowing- In this method, furrows are made at a distance of 45 cm with the help of a local plough. In these furrows, cormels are sown at a depth of 7-8 cm at a distance of 30 cm. A plough is used to cover them.

Irrigation - Irrigation of  Colocasia (Elephant Ear) depends on many factors, among which the time of growing the crop, temperature, type of soil are important. The crop sown in February-March requires more irrigations than the crop sown in June-July. If the land is sandy, then it requires more irrigations than clay soil. The crop grown in summer needs irrigation at an interval of 6-7 days. Whereas the irrigation of the crop grown in Kharif depends on rainfall. Moisture should be maintained in the soil because doing so helps in the development and growth of tubers.

Removal of Tillers – When the crop is 70-80 days old, many tillers emerge below them which keep taking moisture and nutrients from the soil. As a result, there is a huge reduction in the yield. Therefore, other than one or two main tillers, other tillers should be removed. After this, soil should be put on the plant. By doing both these actions, the yield of Colocasia (Elephant Ear) increases.

Use of Plant Regulator – 100-150 ppm solution of Psychosil should be sprayed 3 times. By doing this, the yield increases.

Plant Protection

Weed Control

To control the weeds growing with Colocasia (Elephant Ear), weeding should be done twice. The first weeding should be done 3 weeks after sowing the knots and the second time after 6 weeks. At this time, half the amount of nitrogen should be given as top dressing.

Insect Control

Leaf Eating Caterpillar – This caterpillar causes the most damage to the Colocasia (Elephant Ear) crop because these caterpillars eat the new leaves. As a result, there is a hindrance in the food production of the leaves, which adversely affects the development and growth of the plants.

To prevent this insect, 0.2 percent Thiodan should be sprayed.

Disease Control

Blight of Colocasia – This disease is caused by a fungus called Phytophthora colocasiae. Which survives in the soil in the form of spores and in the diseased tubers in the form of dormant fungal network and acts as the primary investment material. 100% humidity and 21°C temperature is favourable for the development of this disease. The disease spreads through irrigation water, rain or wind.

The following measures should be taken to control this disease-

- After harvesting, the debris of diseased plants should be collected and burnt.

- Spray a solution of Mancozeb (2.5 kg) or Copper Oxychloride (3 kg) in 1000 liters of water per hectare on the standing crop. While spraying, sticker Sandovit or Triton must be mixed in this solution so that the solution sticks well to the leaves.

- Before sowing, the cube tubers should be treated with the above fungicide solution.

Tips For Growing Elephant Ear Indoors

Harvesting – The time of digging the cube tubers of Colocasia (Elephant Ear) depends on their size, variety, climate and fertility of the soil. The crop is ready in 100-140 days after sowing. But if the tubers of a crop are to be used for propagation in the next year, then its tubers should be dug out after 180 days.

Yield - The yield of Colocasia (Elephant Ear) depends on many factors, among which the fertility of the soil, the variety to be grown, the method of growing and the care of the crop are important. If it is cultivated by the above mentioned method, then 300-400 quintals of yield is obtained per year.

Storage - The dense tubers of Colocasia (Elephant Ear) should be kept in such rooms where there is no heat. The tubers should be spread in the room. These tubers should be turned over at an interval of a few days. Keep removing the rotten tubers. Keep removing the tubers for sale in the market as per the requirement. At some places, after drying the tubers, they are filled in clean jute bags and kept in the storage.